Smith wants new faces at QPR

22 Aug 2011 17:30:19

QPR striker Tommy Smith hopes manager Neil Warnock will now be able to bring in a number of players with "real quality" following Tony Fernandes' takeover of the club.

Fernandes ended a summer of uncertainty at Loftus Road last Thursday when he bought out previous majority shareholders Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, a move that is now almost certain to give Warnock the transfer funds he has craved all summer.

Warnock is interested in a move for Liverpool's Joe Cole and has also been linked with Tottenham striker Peter Crouch, David Bentley, and West Ham and England's Scott Parker, and Smith, who fired the winner in Saturday's 1-0 win at Everton, said: "We have been linked with some interesting players. It will be great if we get some real quality in - some players who have played at the top level in the Premier League."

He added: "That would be great for the dressing room and the club as a whole. It will improve us as a team."

Meanwhile, Fernandes continued his shake up of the Loftus Road hierarchy on Monday by appointing Philip Beard as the club's new chief executive.

Beard was part of the bidding team that won the London 2012 Olympics and has also worked as chief executive at the O2 Arena.

Speaking about Beard's appointment, Fernandes told qpr.co.uk: "Philip brings a long history of success in the sports industry with him to QPR.

"His track record in leading teams and achieving commercial success is exemplary and I am delighted to have him on board."

Beard, who has also worked at American sports and entertainment company AEG, added: "I am utterly thrilled to be joining QPR in this hugely exciting chapter in the club's history.

"I will be focusing on helping it become the very best club it can be, both on and off the pitch. I want to ensure the best possible experience for the people who support us day in and day out - our loyal supporters."